Evaluation of the FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel on Health Care Utilization in Immunocompetent Adults Presenting to the Emergency Department with Non-Clostridium difficile Acute Gastrointestinal Infection

摘要

BackgroundMultiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) rapid diagnostic technologies, such as the FilmArray Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel, have the potential to quickly determine the microbiologic etiology of acute gastrointestinal illnesses and prevent additional healthcare utilization through further diagnostic tests. However, the utility of this diagnostic on clinical management in patients with these illnesses remains unclear. This study compares health care utilization for patients where GI panel testing was performed in the emergency department (ED) vs. patients where conventional stool diagnostic methods were utilized.